Hinge with less noise

Abstract

A hinge with less noise pivotally connects to a cover and a base of an electrical appliance and has a stationary-positioning element, a rotating-positioning element and a noise-eliminated spacer. The stationary-positioning element is mounted securely in the base and has at least one positioning protrusion. The rotating-positioning element is mounted securely in the cover and has at least one positioning detent corresponding to the positioning protrusion when the cover is closed. The noise-eliminated spacer is attached to the rotating-positioning element to let the stationary-positioning element and the rotating-positioning element in constant contact, which results in friction between the stationary-positioning element and the rotating-positioning element being uniform. The noise-eliminated spacer is made by metal stamping process to well form the size of the through hole for tightly engage the deformed portion of the shaft to eliminate noise.

1 . A hinge comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a non-circular deformed portion formed axially on the distal end of the shaft;   a rotating bracket mounted securely around the shaft;   a washer assembly mounted securely around the shaft and having at least one washer mounted securely on the shaft;   a stationary bracket mounted pivotally around the shaft;   a stationary-positioning element mounted pivotally around the shaft, attached to the stationary bracket and having
 a first side; 
 a second side; and 
 at least one positioning protrusion formed on the second side of the stationary-positioning element; 
   a rotating-positioning element mounted slidably around the shaft, mounted adjacent to the stationary-positioning element and having
 a first side; 
 a second side; 
 a non-circular through hole formed through the rotating-positioning element and engaging the deformed portion of the shaft; 
 at least one positioning detent formed on the first side of the rotating-positioning element and corresponding to and selectively engaging the at least one positioning protrusion of the stationary-positioning element; and 
 two tongues oppositely protruding from the second side of the rotating-positioning element and being adjacent to the through hole; 
   a noise-eliminated spacer slidably mounted around the shaft, mounted adjacent to and attached to the rotating-positioning element and having
 a non-circular through hole formed through the noise-eliminated spacer and engaging the deformed portion of the shaft; and 
 two receiving recesses formed oppositely beside the through hole of the noise-eliminated spacer and engaging the tongues of the rotating-positioning element 
   a biasing member mounted around the shaft; and   a fastener mounted securely around the shaft;   wherein the noise-eliminated spacer is made by stamping process to allow the through hole of the noise-eliminated spacer tightly engaging the deformed portion of the shaft to eliminate noise.   
     
     
         2 . The hinge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the shaft has a non-circular fastening protrusion formed axially on the proximal end of the shaft; and   the rotating bracket has a non-circular through hole formed through the rotating bracket and engaging the fastening protrusion of the shaft.   
     
     
         3 . The hinge as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the stationary bracket has
 a transverse wing mounted around the shaft; 
 a longitudinal wing; and 
 a fastening hole formed through the transverse wing; and 
   the stationary-positioning element has a fastening protrusion formed on   the first side of the stationary-positioning element and extending through the fastening hole of the stationary bracket.   
     
     
         4 . The hinge as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the stationary bracket has a pin mounted securely on the longitudinal wing of the stationary bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 each washer of the washer assembly has a non-circular through hole formed through the washer and engaging the deformed portion of the shaft;   the stationary bracket has a circular hole formed through the transverse wing and mounted around the deformed portion of the shaft; and   the stationary-positioning element has a circular hole formed through the stationary-positioning element and mounted around the deformed portion of the shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The hinge as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 the shaft has a thread formed on the deformed portion; and   the fastener is a nut to screw on the thread of the shaft.